Zizou gives Real advantage in Isco chase?

There’s a familiar look to this morning’s media round-up.

The names of Isco, Edinson Cavani, Carlos Tevez and Aleksandar Kolarov have been regular fixtures in back page transfer rumours this summer – and there’s no sign of that changing any time soon.

We start with news that the race for the signing of Isco has taken another turn, with World Cup winning midfielder Zinedine Zidane reportedly stepping in to offer assurances to the Malaga midfielder ahead of a potential move to the Bernabeu.

Mark Ogden of the Telegraph believes that Zidane’s counsel could play a big part in deciding the talented playmaker’s next port of call.

“Zinedine Zidane has threatened Manchester City’s attempts to beat Real Madrid to the signature of Isco by offering personal assurances that the £30m-rated midfielder will play regular first-team football at the Bernabeu,” Odgen said.

“However, with City growing in confidence that the lure of regular football under former Malaga coach Manuel Pellegrini would convince Isco to reject Real for a move to the Etihad, Zidane’s intervention has now left Real expecting to secure his signature.

“Former Real captain Zidane, now director of football at the Bernabeu, is understood to have held several discussions with Isco’s father to allay fears that the player would be overlooked in Madrid.”

Elsewhere, Tevez is being heavily linked with a move to Serie A, with Juventus thought to be leading the chase and he may be joined in Italy by Kolarov, according to the Daily Mail.

“The Italians have already discussed a £9million move for his City teammate Carlos Tevez.

“Juventus, who won last season's Serie A title by nine points ahead of runners-up Napoli, see utility player Kolarov as a perfect addition to give their squad strength in depth.”

It wouldn’t be a media round-up without mention of long-touted City target Cavani.

The Uruguayan is expected to lead the line in his nation’s Confederations Cup game against Nigeria tonight but he’s found time to quash any notion that his future is decided although it’s believed the 26-year will leave Napoli this summer.

Cavani told Globo Esporte: "Everyone wants to play for the biggest clubs in the world, clubs with a lot of tradition.

"But nobody knows my future, I don't know anything. I only know that I am a Napoli player. The truth is that there is nothing concrete, nothing official."

Remember the only place to read concrete, official transfer stories is here on mcfc.co.uk over the summer.